OC Clay Helton to be main playcaller for USC
USC coach Steve Sarkisian is ceding the majority of the playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Clay Helton.
Sarkisian revealed the assignment of duties after practice on Saturday. Helton became the team’s offensive coordinator in 2013 and was the team’s playcaller for the rest of that season after coach Lane Kiffin was fired. Kiffin and Sarkisian were previously co-offensive coordinators at USC.
“Clay is going to assume more of the play calling responsibilities,” Sarkisian said via TrojanSports.com. “I’m still going to have input especially in the third down and red zone scenarios. But I also want to focus on being a really good head coach and I want to be with our defense and celebrate with Adoree’ when he gets an interception.”
Helton also served as the team’s interim coach during hte 2013 Las Vegas Bowl.
The news comes not long after Sarkisian’s incident at a donor function. The USC coach was reportedly pulled off the stage last weekend in front of USC supporters after he appeared to be under the influence. He apologized for the incident the following day and later said he had mixed alcohol and medication.
The coach said the two events are not related, however. Sarkisian said the transition started in spring football. According to the Los Angeles Times, it’s the first time since 2009 that USC’s coach won’t be the primary playcaller.
Sarkisian also said he wanted to spend more time with the defense. USC is facing lofty expectations this year. The Trojans are a top contender for not only the Pac-12 title but a possible berth in the College Football Playoff.
“I love calling plays — that’s what I do … how I got into this profession and worked my way through it,” he said via the Times, “But I want to be a great head coach. I don’t want to set offensive records and finish 8-5 or 9-4. I want to win 13 games and 14 games.
“To do that, me being in defensive meetings, me being in every special-teams meeting, me really understanding the nuances of those things is critical to our success.”
For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
